Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [275]
For EU citizens with an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), a doctor visit costs from Skr100 to Skr150; those under 20 are treated free of charge. At hospitals, in-patient treatment is generally free with a nonrefundable, standard fee of Skr80 per day. Out-patient treatment charges vary. Seeing a specialist costs from Skr200 to Skr300.
Non-EU citizens should have adequate travel insurance or be prepared to face high costs, although some countries (such as Australia) have reciprocal health-care agreements with Sweden.
The rate scheme for dentists (tandläkare) changed in July 2008; initial visits cost Skr615 (free for children). Costs for other services vary (fillings cost between Skr585 and Skr1050). Most of these charges are not reimbursed, even for EU citizens.
For general emergencies and ambulance service, call 112.
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TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA
Simple things such as a change of water, food or climate can cause mild diarrhoea, and a few rushed toilet trips with no other symptoms do not indicate a major problem. Stomach upsets are as possible in Sweden as anywhere else. Occasionally, cooked meats displayed on buffet tables may cause problems. Also, take care with shellfish (cooked mussels that haven’t opened properly aren’t safe to eat), and unidentified berries and mushrooms.
Dehydration is the main danger with any diarrhoea, particularly in children or the elderly. Under all circumstances fluid replacement (at least equal to the volume being lost) is the most important thing to remember. With severe diarrhoea a rehydrating solution to replace lost minerals and salts is preferable. Commercially available oral rehydration salts can be added to boiled or bottled water. In an emergency, add a solution of six teaspoons of sugar and a half teaspoon of salt to a litre of boiled water.
Gut-paralysing drugs such as loperamide or diphenoxylate can be used to bring relief from the symptoms, although they do not cure the problem. Use these drugs only if you do not have access to toilets, eg if you must travel. Do not use these drugs for children under 12 or if the person has a high fever or is severely dehydrated.
Giardiasis
Stomach cramps, nausea, a bloated stomach, watery foul-smelling diarrhoea and frequent gas are all symptoms of giardiasis, which can occur several weeks after you have been exposed to the parasite (usually through drinking water from rivers and lakes in the wild). The symptoms may disappear for a few days and then return; this can go on for several weeks.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hypothermia
This condition occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it and the core temperature of the body falls. It’s surprisingly easy to progress from very cold to dangerously cold due to a combination of wind, wet clothing, fatigue and hunger, even if the air temperature is above freezing. It’s best to dress in layers; silk, wool and some of the new artificial fibres are all good insulating materials. A warm hat and a strong, waterproof outer layer (and a space blanket for emergencies) are essential in remote areas. Carry basic supplies, including food containing simple sugars to generate heat quickly, and fluid to drink.
The symptoms of hypothermia are exhaustion, numb skin, shivering, slurred speech, irrational or violent behaviour, lethargy, stumbling, dizzy spells, muscle cramps and violent bursts of energy. Irrationality may take the form of sufferers claiming they are warm and trying to take off their clothes.
To treat mild hypothermia, first get the person out of the wind and/or rain, remove their clothing if it’s wet and replace it with dry, warm clothing. Give them hot liquids (not alcohol) and some high-calorie, easily digestible food. Do not rub victims; instead, allow them to slowly warm themselves. This should be enough to treat the early stages of hypothermia. Early treatment of mild hypothermia is the only way to prevent severe hypothermia, which